Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said unto them, etc.] Nehemiah the Tirshatha or governor: go your way; to their own houses, and refresh themselves; it being noon, and they had stood many hours attentive to the reading and expounding of the law: eat the fat, and drink the sweet: not a common meal, but a feast, consisting of the richest provisions, the best of food and liquors and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared; for the poor, who had no food at home provided for them; the widow, fatherless, and stranger, who at festivals were to partake of the entertainment, (<051611>Deuteronomy 16:11) for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be you sorry; confirming what the Levites had said and exhorted to,…”

“The “sending of portions” to the poor is not distinctly mentioned in any but the later historical Scriptures (compare the margin reference). The practice naturally grew out of this injunction of the Law Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Eat - Feast before the Lord. Send - For the relief of your poor brethren. Holy - Being the feast of trumpets, and the beginning of this joyful month, wherein so many days of thanksgiving were to be observed. Strength - Rejoicing in God in serving him with chearfulness, and thankfulness, which is your duty always, but now especially, will give you that strength both of mind and body, which you greatly need, both to perform all the duties required of you, and to oppose all the designs of your enemies. Nehemiah 8:13”

“8:10 Rich foods such as meat were eaten only on a special occasion. • Sweet drinks referred to unfermented juice, in contrast to the vinegar of the common laborer (see Ruth 2:14). • It is right to share with those who have need (see Deut 15:11; Job 29:16; Prov 31:20; Matt 6:2-3; Acts 4:34-35).”

“Go your way: Ecc 2:24, Ecc 3:13, Ecc 5:18, Ecc 9:7; Ti1 6:17, Ti1 6:18 eat: Sol 5:1 send: Deu 26:11-13; Est 9:19, Est 9:22; Job 31:16-18; Ecc 11:2; Luk 11:41; Rev 11:10 the joy: Psa 28:7, Psa 28:8, Psa 149:2; Pro 17:22; Isa 6:7, Isa 6:8, Isa 12:1-3, Isa 35:1-4, Isa 61:10; Joe 2:23; Co2 8:2, Co2 12:8, Co2 12:9; Phi 3:4 Nehemiah 8:11”